Showing posts with label no-frills restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label no-frills restaurant. Show all posts

Thursday, May 05, 2022

SHOW-STOPPERS OF SHHHBUUULEEE


 Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” Leonardo da Vinci


Tofu with Soy-cured Egg Yolk, Tomato Water and Herbs (RM22). Drunken Cockles with Rice Wine, Taucu and Mustard Seeds Oil (RM38). Grouper Head Terrine with Chayote, Szechuan Pepper and Chilli Vinaigrette (RM32).


When you encounter such show-stopping house specialities, it dawns on you Shhhbuuuleee isn’t any run-of-the-mill rooftop bar and restaurant. The defyingly simple yet intensely flavour-packed curtain-raisers are mere harbingers of what to expect from this quaint outpost, ‘hidden’ atop RexKL, an old cinema reincarnated into a hip cultural and creative hub.



Upon arriving at RexKL
, the hunt for the resto’s ultra-discreet staircase entrance in a mini adventure in itself…hint: it’s within Book Xcess. As I climbed the flights of stairs up to the outpost, I felt like Alice heading into ‘wonderland’.



The interior of Shhhbuuuleee features a seamless integration of the old: RexKL’s original flooring and walls; and the new: extended bar seating, minimalist eclectic elements and retro touches are artfully combined to evoke a casual, laidback atmosphere.


Like those art house flicks produced to appeal to a discerning audience, Chef Mui Kai Quan is the culinary director whose creative force comes from past stints gleaned from Osteria Mozza and Esquina in Singapore, Ledbury in London, Maaemo in Oslo and Sprout in Johor Bahru. While his modern Malaysian fare takes centre stage at ChoCha Foodstore, Mui now intends to shine the spotlight on East Asian fare with his inimitable touches at Shhhbuuuleee.


After that stellar cast of curtain-raisers, good conversations flow smoothly along thanks to the recommended tipple: Shuho Awesome Karakuchi (RM35 per glass, RM280 per bottle) is winsome for its clean, refreshing taste. The chilled saké paired superbly well with the specialities mentioned earlier as well as the appetite-whetting Wagyu Tartare with Pickled Radish & Seaweed Crackers (RM52).


Local produce also takes the limelight when possible. The chef is an earnest supporter and advocate of local farmers and food producers like the Langit Collective, and champions more sustainable eating in the local F&B scene.


Ample proof of the chef’s mantra is evident in the Grilled Peppers with Sesame & Peanut Butter (RM26). Locally grown, the colourful assortment of banana and shishito peppers tossed in sesame and peanut butter tastes delicately sweet and deliciously tender.


The other scene-stealer was Red Glutinous Rice with Sakura Shrimp & Salt-Cured Fish Roe (RM24). We relished every bite of the nutty, slightly sticky home-grown red glutinous rice which has absorbed the rich savouriness of both the shrimps and fish roe.


Sweet with a fair amount of smooth, fine flesh, the Tai Head with Bamboo Fungi Broth and Puffed Rice (RM88) easily reeled us in. The accompanying broth – chicken stock and bamboo pith simmered for hours – alone was so chockful of flavours, we lapped up every precious drop.  A chilled shochu, Satsumamura Aka Shochu (RM35 per shot) enhanced our enjoyment of the said dish.


Drawing inspiration from his Chinese roots, Mui uses fu yue (fermented beancurd) to conjure up the homely Braised Tripe & Tendon with Fu Yu Broth, Daikon, Lotus Root & Tang Oh (RM48). For the uninitiated, the savoury Chinese condiment tastes similar to cheese; lending depth and complexity to the various ingredients which soaked up all the wonderful flavours of the braising broth.


After being bedazzled by a slew of palate-pleasing blockbusters, subsequent contenders such as Fried Sole with Shiso and Salted Mustard Green (RM42), as well as Sautéed Kale and Wood Ear Mushroom with Kombu Butter (RM22) had to fight harder to gain attention.


Perked up with a relish of chopped salted mustard green (ham choi) and fresh beefsteak leaves serving as an edible wrap for the panko-crusted fish, the former was akin to fish and chips gone East and ‘fit’.


Healthy eating won’t be topping your agenda when you’re at Shhhbuuleee but the kale and wood ear mushroom combo makes an appearance in the menu for good measure. Although the dish was a tad underwhelming, we dutifully polished off every morsel due to its super-nutritious content.


Mui admits he’s still working on dessert and the menu changes based on the availability of the ingredients and produce. So be prepared for more culinary sequels to savour at Shhhbuuleee.


For reservations at Shhhbuuuleee, call: 012-6120786 or https://letsumai.com/widget/shhhbuuuleee. Address: 3rd Floor, RexKL, 80, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

A GALORE OF GOODIES FROM FOODIES GOURMET MARKET & CAFE

Not many restaurants come with a delicatessen and food retail section but Foodies Gourmet Market & Café (GMC) embraces this concept. It fulfills a niche where discerning gourmets can shop for quality Halal beef and lamb, imported German sausages, and premium seafood products, while home cooks searching for ready-to-cook burger patties, truffle and extra virgin olive oils, Kikkoman sauces, imported spices, cooking ingredients, condiments, and kitchen knives can buy them here.




The austere interior is practical and casual; its laidback vibes put patrons at ease and eager to discover Foodies GMC’s range of ready-to-eat fare. Once satiated, perhaps they’d be inspired to buy the ready-to-cook range home.



Foodies GMC serves wallet-friendly steaks: notably tender Australian Grilled Ribeye Steak (RM53, approximately 200g) with a choice of black pepper or mushroom sauce, and a juicy grilled Pure Grass-Fed Aussie Striploin Steak (RM42, approx. 200g) with rich mushroom sauce. Mixed salad and potato wedges are the standard accompaniments.


Raising the several notches above the fast-food bar is the Awesome Wagyu Burger (RM32). The winning formula lies in Foodies’ choice of using brioche as the base and a Wagyu beef patty as its core ingredient. For palate-pleasing allure, sautéed mushroom, tomato, lettuce, caramelised onion, katsu mayo, and cheese are piled on.

 

Another comforting house speciality to try is Boss’s Favourite Beef Goulash (RM21), a Hungarian-style stew with tender cubes of Australian beef. The Chef Signature Smoked Duck Quiche (RM20) is memorable for its deliciously custardy filling studded with pieces of smoked duck in it.


Hallyu fans will take an instant liking to the Spicy Korean Style Lamb Chops (RM36). Marinated in gochujang sauce, the grilled hot and mildly sweet lamb shoulder chops are guaranteed to tantalise the tastebuds.


If you prefer tamer but equally pleasing flavours, the slices of roasted Smoked Duck with Caramelised Apple Chutney (RM30) should hit the spot. The intermingling of savoury-sweet accents are stimulating and nicely balanced by the mixed salad with citrusy sweet dressing.


Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing fare such as Grilled Lamb Sausage (RM30) – this spiral, herbed sausage comes with toasted tortilla pieces, mixed salad and Siracha mayo dip, or grilled German Chicken Sausages (RM31) on mixed vegetable bed with ketchup mayo and mustard dip will find favour with both young and old alike.



Instead of dory, New Zealand perch coated in crispy batter is featured in FG Style Fish & Chips (RM29). Served with Chef’s signature tartare sauce and potato wedges, it’s a hearty serving enough to leave a light eater replete.

 

Looking for Japan-inspired specialities? Possible choices include Japs Chicken Chop (RM19) glazed with garlic teriyaki sauce, and Japanese crispy fried Chicken Fillet with Katsu Sauce Sandwich (RM21) pass muster.


A failsafe option like Meatballs Pasta (RM20) with house-made chicken meatballs in creamy tomato sauce is available too so Foodies GMC has all the bases covered when it comes to family dining.


Dessert is simple but delightful. Tempting choices range from soft XL Berry St Doughnuts (RM10) with caramelised apple dices, chocolate sauce and cream to crispy fried Banana Foster (RM10) drizzled with sweet soy and buttery sauce.



For more information about Foodies Gourmet Market & Café, call tel: 012-213 5277. Address: No. 29, Jalan BK5A/3A, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, Selangor.

 



Featured Post

EXPLOSIVE SURPRISE FROM CAKE RUSH

Whimsical. Fun. Impactful. Imagine a flock of butterflies fluttering up once you open Cake Rush’s latest Explosion Gift Box. We were thrille...